Page 15 of Knot a Thief

I’m about to abandon the boat and search for her myself when movement on the pier camera catches my eye.

“Ava,” I breathe as I watch her strolling casually like any other tourist enjoying the Monaco sunshine. Her dress flows behind her, and her heels are in her hand.

Relief floods through me, quickly followed by frustration.

I want to scream at her to hurry, but I can’t risk drawing attention. So I watch, my heart pounding so hard I fear it might burst from my chest, as she takes her sweet time making her way back to the yacht.

Finally, she reaches the boat. My anger is rising, but before I can say anything, she holds out a hand. I pull her on board, and she scrambles below deck.

“We need to leave right now.”

“What the hell happened?” I demand, already moving to prep the boat for departure.

Ava shakes her head, her face pale beneath her usual post-job flush. “I’ll explain later. Just get us out of here. Fast.”

Chapter 4

Silas

“We lost her again.”

I stand silently behind Max, watching his shoulders tense as he glares at the frozen image on the screen.

Avaline Darling, the elusive thief we’ve been tracking for years, is caught in a moment of hesitation outside the hotel room door.

“How the hell did she get away?” Max barks at his security team, his voice laced with barely contained fury. “She was outside the fucking door.”

Her hand is outstretched, almost touching the handle, before she suddenly backs away.

I resist the urge to sigh. We had thought our plan was foolproof. Lure her in with the promise of an impossible score, then spring the trap. But somehow, she’d sensed it at the last moment.

“Sir,” one of the security guards ventures, “by the time we exited the elevator, she’d vanished. We’ve reviewed all the camera footage. It’s like she turned into fresh air.”

“She’s not a fucking apparition! She’s an omega, for God’s sake.” Max slams his fist on the desk, making everyone in the room flinch. Everyone except me. I’ve seen his rage before, and I know it’s nothing compared to the cold calculation that will follow.

“What about the card?” I ask, drawing Max’s attention. “Did she take it with her? Maybe she is still tempted.”

One of the security team steps forward, holding up an evidence bag. Inside is the black card we’d used as bait, the one Max had personally given her at the cafe. “She left it pressed into the door frame, sir.”

Max’s eyes narrow, a dangerous glint in them. “She’s taunting us,” he growls.

I nod, feeling a familiar surge of anger. Avaline Darling has been a thorn in our side for too long. And while I don’t know the full extent of her crimes against Max, I have my own score to settle with her.

“What’s our next move?” I ask Max, already knowing the answer.

He turns to me, his face set in grim determination. “Whatever it takes, Silas. No more games, no more cat and mouse. I want her found, and I want her brought to me.”

I nod, a bitter smile spreading across my face. “Consider it done.”

As the security team files out, discussing new strategies and increased surveillance, I linger behind. There’s still one question burning in my mind.

“Max,” I start, choosing my words carefully, “I know you have your reasons for wanting Avaline, but what exactly did she do? If I’m going to hunt her down, it might help to know what we’re dealing with.”

Max is silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the frozen image of Avaline. When he finally speaks, his voice is low, dangerous. “I gave her too much freedom.”

I nod, not pushing further. But I’ve worked for Max long enough to know when he’s holding back. I am too.

“I want her Silas. Do whatever it takes.”

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